From ‘country full of cheaters’ to ‘cancel culture sucks’: Canada Soccer divides sports world over spy drone scandal

Canadians, Americans and soccer lovers from around the globe are slamming Canada soccer for allegedly using drones to spy on other teams on multiple occurrences — a scandal that was brought to light by the fallout from the New Zealand Olympic Committee's complaint against the Canadian Women’s National Team earlier this week.

While the incident on Monday — during which the Canadian team’s analyst was caught flying a drone over the Kiwis’ practice session — may have been the latest, turns out it wasn’t an isolated event as both the men’s and women’s teams have long "relied on drones and spying for years," with similar practices undertaken at Tokyo Olympics 2021 and the recent Women’s World Cup.

What followed was a swift but brutal online backlash from the sporting world with many soccer enthusiasts expressing their dissatisfaction over the misconduct on the part of Canada — a country they used to look up to.

“This Canadian women’s national team drone story is not only an embarrassing dark cloud over Team Canada to start the Games, it also calls into question everything that Canada Soccer has done over the past four or so years," posted prominent Canadian-American MMA journalist Ariel Helwani on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The Gold medal, the WC berths etc. Just a horrible look during what was one of Canada’s best stretches ever on the pitch. And I don’t believe for a second that the gaffer didn’t know.”

“Canada Soccer needs to be burnt to the ground and replaced with something new. I’m heartbroken by this situation and for the humiliation the players and their families are surely feeling, but if this is what finally leads to change - so be it,” chimed in a dejected Canada soccer fan online.

With the controversy intensifying through the week and FIFA opening an investigation into the women’s team on Wednesday, the Canada WNT management announced Friday morning that head coach Bev Priestman, who the management says was likely aware of the drone usage, will be suspended for the rest of the Paris Olympics. This comes a day after Canada beat New Zealand 2-1.

‘You can’t make this up’: Canada Soccer performance analyst job posting listing ‘able to operate drone’ as a requirement creates a stir

As the sensational revelations at Canada Soccer became more apparent, curious citizens and sports personalities like Sportsnet’s Arash Madani decided to dig deeper and scrutinize the organization’s website where he came across a job posting for a role demanding potential candidates know how to operate a drone.

“YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS UP," said Madani on X.

On Canada Soccer's website, the job posting from January is still up for "Performance Analyst, Women's National Team."

Since it'll be down soon, guess what "characteristics and background" are in the job posting? Amazing,” Madani posted online.

Madani shared screen grabs of the job requirements, one of which revealed a specific characteristic stating “able to operate drone and possess working knowledge of managing training camera is preferred.”

Madani followed up the original post with another write up in the thread, this time providing additional context at the request of Soccer Canada.

‘I'm not worked up about drone gate, sorry’: Commentators, fans defend Soccer Canada

Opposing an overwhelming amount of criticism lashed at Soccer Canada following recent revelations, there were many who came to the organization’s defence — especially the ninth ranked Canada Women’s National Team globally.

“I'm not worked up about drone gate, sorry. Not Canada Soccer's finest hour (mostly because: dumbness), but gathering drone footage is barely steps removed from extensive film work & scouting teams do anyway. Like, 'they're practicing w/ 442!' is not morally reprehensible to me,” wrote Sportsnet’s Michael Grange.

“Disastrous for #CANWNT

Not the players, they can't be accused of cheating.

But the management, the whole set-up around Herdman & Priestman.

This is the #Olympics not some #Concacaf dogs-dinner of a tournament.”

Legendary Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair, who was immortalized with a Barbie Doll honour by Mettle earlier this year for her contribution to the sport, also issued a statement on her experience when she was a part of the team.

"I want to be clear that having been a national team player for 23 years, we were never shown or discussed drone footage in team or individual meetings I've been present for," said Sinclair.